Experience

• (2020) Post-Doc, Chemical Sciences and Engineering Division, Argonne National Laboratory.
• (2014 - 2018) PhD, Physical Chemistry, National University of Ireland, Galway.
• (2012 - 2014) Associate Mechanical Engineer, Energy Systems Division, Argonne National Laboratory.
• (2010 - 2013) MS, Energy Systems, Mechanical Engineering, Marquette University.
• (2008 - 2010) BS, Mechanical Engineering, Marquette University.
• (2006 - 2008) AS, Mechanical Engineering, Waukesha County Technical College.

Research Interests

I am currently interested in probing the chemical physics of fast chemical reactions at high temperatures and pressures.  A wide array of processes are governed by such reactions, however I am particularly interested in revealing the physics preventing the evolution of current combustion system technologies and fuels. I especially enjoy designing and constructing laboratory scale equipment that redefines the state-of-the-art capabilities of the specialized reactors and analytical diagnostics used to probe these difficult types of chemical systems.

Selected Publications

• Initiation reactions in the high temperature decomposition of styrene
• Reactions of propyl radicals: A shock tube–VUV photoionization mass spectrometry study
• An experimental and kinetic modeling study of the oxidation of hexane isomers: Developing consistent reaction rate rules for alkanes
• Testing the validity of a mechanism describing the oxidation of binary n-heptane/toluene mixtures at engine operating conditions
• An experimental and chemical kinetic modeling study of 1,3-butadiene combustion: Ignition delay time and laminar flame speed measurements
• The importance of endothermic pyrolysis reactions in the understanding of diesel spray combustion
• A comparative study of the effect of varied reaction environments on a swirl stabilized flame geometry via optical measurements
• Cyclopentane combustion. part II. ignition delay measurements and mechanism validation
• A comprehensive iso-octane combustion model with improved thermochemistry and chemical kinetics
• Modeling ignition of a heptane isomer: improved thermodynamics, reaction pathways, kinetics, and rate rule optimizations for 2-methylhexane
• An updated experimental and kinetic modeling study of n-heptane oxidation
• An experimental and kinetic modeling study of n-hexane oxidation
• Experimental and modeling study of fuel interactions with an alkyl nitrate cetane enhancer, 2-ethyl-hexyl nitrate
• Methodology to account for multi-stage ignition phenomena during simulations of RCM experiments
• A computationally efficient, physics-based model for simulating heat loss during compression and the delay period in RCM experiments